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BEIJING -- China released a series of figures Sunday showing continued strength in the world's second-largest economy as it prepares for new leaders tasked with sustaining the country's dramatic growth.

There was a double-digit increase in production at factories, workshops and mines for the first time since March, the National Bureau of Statistics said, a strong sign the country is shaking off the effects of the global economic slowdown.

The 10.1% November increase follows rises of 9.6% the previous month, 9.2% in September and a three-year low of 8.9% in August.

Overall growth has slowed for seven straight quarters in China. It hit 7.4% in the three months through September, the weakest performance in more than three years.

But the production statistics and other figures released by the bureau -- including retail sales, fixed asset investment and inflation -- all showed an improvement.

The statistics -- the first major economic figures to be released since the Communist Party held its pivotal congress last month -- will be welcomed by the political elite as it prepares to usher in new leaders in March.

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